Method of producing coated cores



Jan. 25 1927;

F. GILL METHOD OF PRODUCING COATED CORES Original Filed Sept. 19, 1922 2Sheets-Sheet l fnvenTor FTOIMTGIZ! 2 F. GILL METHOD OF PRODUCING COATEDCORES Original Filed Sept- 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 1710297207" 7Fran/r6!!! Patented J an. 25, 1927.

" UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK GTLL, OF SHORTLANDS, KENT, ENGLAND, ASSIGNOR TO WESTERN ELECTRICCOMPANY, INCORPORATED, 013 NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK-METHOD OF PRODUCING COATED CORES.

Application filedSeptember 19, 1922, Serial No. 589,059. Renewed October18, 1926.

This invention relates to a coated core and method of producing thesame.

The object of the invention is to produce 'a core coated with awaterproof pulpous material attached thereto, and to provide a methodfor producing the said coating.

The method consists in subjecting the core to a pulp which is thoroughlyimpregnated with a waterproofing material and then so treating the pulpthat it constitutes a homogeneous coating for the core.

More specifically the method-consists in subjecting the core to awaterproofing liquid containing pulp in such manner that pulp is appliedto the core and caused to cling thereto due to the surface tension ofthe liquid'in which the pulp is suspended and the felting action of thepulp.

\Vhere this method is used for coating a core in strand form, after thepulp is applied and attached to the core as just described, the pulp maybe formed while still moist to effect a thorough intermingling of thepulp fibers and to cause the pulp to constitute a homogeneous coveringfor the core.

The present method may be employed to advantage for insulatingelectrical conductors, but it is to be understood that it is not limited to this purpose but only in so far as is defined by the appendedclaims.

Where the method is used for insulating electrical conductors, manila,wood, rag, cotton. esparto, jute, hemp, and asbestos pulps maybeemployed as the coating material, and

' these pulps may be suspended in waterproofing materials such as oils,waxes, resins, etc., but other pulpous materials and other waterproofingliquids may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of thepresent invention, which contemplates in its broadest aspect the coatingof any core with any pulp impregnated with any waterproofing material.

The drawings illustrate the method as employed for coating a core instrand form, the steps of the method consisting in first bringing thecore into intimate contact with a waterproofing liquid containing pulp,whereby the pulp is applied to the core; second, removing the core fromthe pulp mixture to vermit the deposited pulp to cling to the core;third, removing excess waterproofing thorough impregnation of thematerial from the pulp without detaching the pulp from the core, andfourth, forming the pulp while still moist so that it forms ahomogeneous covering for the core. Where this method is used forinsulating electrical conductors the waterproofing material serves bothto render the insulating coating impervious to moisture and to give thecoating a highly dielectric strength than would result were the pulpousmaterial suspended in water;

By this method the coating is rendered impervious to moisture at thetime that it is be- The drawings illustrate a preferred form ofapparatus by which the method may be performed.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a preferred apparatus for performing theprocess;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged top plan view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1,parts being oinit-- te'd for the sake of clearuess;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail view in side elevation of the formingdevice;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the lines 44 of Fig. 3;-

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sec-' tional view of the drum forconveying the core into contact with the waterproofing liquid containingpulp;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional-view of the auxiliary rollfor removing free liquid from the pulp deposited on the core;

Figs; 7, 8, 9 and 10 are enlarged views showing the form of the pulpcoating on the core as it is delivered from the waterproofing liquidcontaining pulp, the squeezing rolls,

and former respectively;

Fig. 11 is a top plan view of the core pulp coatlng shown in Fig. 8.

and

'waterproofing liquid containingpudp in a semi-spherical trough 23. Ther The apparatus disclosed for performing the process is particularlyadapted for coating a core in strand form, but it is to be understoodthat other apparatus may be devised for coating cores in other forms andstill be within the scope of the present process.

Referring now to the drawin s in detail, in which like reference numeras designate similar vparts throughout the several views, the core to becoated is fed from a supply 20, over an idler roll 21, and thence arounda drum 22 which is partly submer ed in a withum 22 comprises a pair ofsheet -metal sides 24, Fig. 5, and a peripheral portion 25 securedthereto. a. plurality of relatively large perforations 26 which arecovered with a narrow strip of fine wire mesh 27. The core in passingaround the drum lies upon the wire mesh 27 as is shown in Fig. 2. Thedrum 22 has a centrally disposed tubular axle 28 which is rotatablymounted in suitable bearings 29 carried by a framework 30 which supportsall the elements'of the a paratus.

In order to apply pu p to the core as it passes over the drum 2 the pulpmixture within the drum is maintained at a lower level than that of thepulp mixture in the tank 23, as indicated by the dotted lines A and Brespectively. This difference in levels is maintained by a siphon pipe31 which has its inlet opening submerged in the pulp mixture within thedrum 22 and its discharge through the tubular axle 28. A continuouscirculation of the pulp mixture is maintained in the tank 23 by feedingthe pulp mixture from a supply tank 32 into the tank 23 and out of thesaid tank through a pipe 19 into a receiving tank (not shown) from whichit is pumped back into the supply tank 32 in any suitable manner. As thedrum 22 carries the core thereon through the tank, due to the differencein the levels of the liquid within the drum and the tank 23, the liquidin the tank 23 will pass through the wire mesh 27 and perforations 26,straining the pulp into the outer surface of the wire mesh, and applyingpulp on the core supported thereon. In order to keep the wire mesh cleanprior to its reception of the core and new coating of pulp, it is washedby a jet of the impregnating liquid under pressure which is suppliedthrough a nozzle 33.

Where it is desired to employ waterproofing materials which are fluidonly at temperatures higher than room temperature, such material may beheated in any suitable manner, as for instance, by means of heatingcoils (not shown) disposed within the trough 23, supply tank 32, andreceiving tank.

The portion 25 is provided with.

to it in substantially the form shown in Fig. 7.

From the drum 22 the core with pulp applied thereon is passed over anauxiliary roll 34 and then between apair of squeezing rolls 35 and 36.These rolls' are rotatably mounted between a pair of-brackets 37 secured.to an uprightstandard 38 supported by the framework 30. The shaftcarrying the roll 36 is driven through a pulley attached thereto whichis actuated by a motor 39 in any suitable manner, as by means of thebelts 40 and 41 shown. The rolls 35 and 36 preferably draw the core fromthe supply roll 20, over the drum 22, causing it to rotate, and thenbetween them.

The-auxiliary roll 34, as shown in Fig. 6, is a hollow sheet metal drumhaving a peripheral slot covered with a strip of fine wire mesh 42.Ithas been found preferable to employ the auxiliary roll 34 and to makeit foraminous where it engages the core and pulp coating thereon inorder that the free liquid, so to speak, may be strained 01f away fromthe core and coating without causing a back flow of the liquid which,would tend to wash off the pulp coating which at this sta e of theprocess is very soft and moist an easily removed from the core. With thefree'liquid' removed the coating has greater strength, due to a closerfelting of the fibers so that when the core and coating are passedthrough the squeezing rolls the coating will not be torn from the core.l

The squeezin rolls may be formed of rubber and force together by meansof any suitable tension means whichis adjustable to present the properpressure on the core and pulp coating asthey pass between the rolls.These rolls remove the greater portion of the liquid from the pulpmixture and form the pulp into a thin ribbon which extends laterallyfrom each side of the core as is shown in Figs. 8 and 11. This squeezingoperation also tends to mat or felt the fibers into more intimaterelation, increase the tensile strength of the covering and secure it tothe core. a

From the squeezing rolls the core with its ribbon pulp coating is drawnthrough.

a former which wraps the projecting edges of the ribbonaround the coreand around each other, the appearance of the coating after it is firstacted on by the formerand after the formin action is completed beingshown clearly in li igs. 9 and 10. The former causes a thoroughintermingling of the pulp fibers and shapes the coating so that itembraces the core and conforms to theshape thereof. This step of theprocess forms the coating into a mass so homogeneous that upon cuttingthe core and coating the latter will not fray or ravel and will notbecome easily detached from the core.

The former, shown in detail in Figs. 3 and 4, comprises two cup-shapedcollars 43 and 44 held together'and in spaced relation by means of rods45. Integral with each of said .collars 43 and 44 is a sleeve 46 and 46respectively which are rotatably mounted within suitable hearings in thestandards 37 and another pair of standards 47 which are supported by theframework 30. Two plates 48 and 49 have projecting tongues which arebent around two of the rods to pivotally support the plates in opposedrelation to each other. Compression springs 50 engage the rea-rfaces ofeach of the plates 48 and 49 and tend to force them together. Thesprings 50 are put under the requisite compression by means of adjustingscrews 51 which are mounted in brackets 52 secured to the rods 45. Theends of the plates 48 and 49 adjacent the squeezing rolls 35 and 36 areflared outwardly so as to present a smooth surface to the core and pulpcoating as they pass from the said rolls through the sleeve 46 andbetween the forming plates 48 and 49. The core passes from the forming.

plates through the sleeve 46'-. The plates 48 and 49 are rapidly rotatedaround the core and the pulp coating thereon through the medium of apulley 18secured to the sleeve 46, the pulley being driven by the motor39 through a belt 17. The forming plates 48 and 49 wrap the projectingedges of the pulp ribbon about each other and around the core in muchthe same manner as though the core'and pulp ribbon were rolled on atable top with the palm of the hand.

\Vhere certain kinds of impregnating liquids are employed, such forinstance as waxes or resins suspended in a volatile solrent, it may befound desirable to draw the core with its formed coating from the former and subject it to a heating means for driving ofi the volatilesolvent.

The means shown for performing such a step are a pair of wide hollowdrums and 53 heated internally and havinga plural ty of grooves 53formed thereon, Fig. 2,wh 1ch receive the core, guides (not shown) belngprovided for directing the core over first one drum and then the otheruntil it has traversed all of the grooves on both drums, after which itis stored on a receiving drum 54.' The drums 60 and 53 are revolvablymounted in suitable bearings carried by vertical standards supported bythe framework. The receiving drum 54 is also revolvably mounted inbearings carried by brack- I ets 55 supported by the framework 30 and isdriven by the motor 39 through suitable guished from the heating stepabove described. This step of the process may be adapted to best suitthe Waterproofing material employed without departing from the spiritand scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is: w

1. A.method of coating a core in strand form, consisting in subjectingthe core to a waterproof liquid containing pulp in such manner that awaterproofed pulp is applied to the-core.

2. A method of coating a core in strand ill) form, consisting in formingwaterproofed pulp around the core to cause it to be attached thereto byan intermingling of the fibers of the pulp.

3. A method of coating a core, consisting in applying waterproof pulpupon the core to produce a coating andthen forming the said coating.

4. A method of coating a core, consisting in subjecting the core to awaterproofing liquid containing pulp in such manner that pulp is appliedthereto to produce acoating, removing excess liquid from the coating,and then forming the said coating.

5. A method of coating a core, consisting in subjecting the core to awaterproofing liquid containing pulp in such manner that pulp is appliedthereto and then so treating the applied pulp that it is firmly attachedto the said core.

6. A method of coating'a core, consisting in subjecting the coreto awaterproofing liquid containing pulp in such manner that pulp is appliedto the 'core,'removing excess liquid from the pulp on the core, and thenso treating the pulp that it is firmly attached to the core.

7. A method of coating a core, consisting in subjecting the core to awaterproofing liquid containing pulp in such manner that pulp is appliedthereto, and then so treating the pulp while still moist that the fibersthereof are intermingled with each other in such manner as to hold thepulp on the core.

8. A method of coating a core, consisting in subjecting the core to awaterproofing liquid containing pulp in such manner that pulp is appliedthereto, removing excess Inn Ill)

liquid from the pulp on the core, and then so treating the pulpwhilestill moist that the fibers thereof are intermingled with each other insuch manner as to hold the pulp on the core.

9. A method of coating a core, consisting in applying a mixture of pulpand waterproofing liquid to a core in such manner as to cause the pulpto cling thereto in ribbon form, and wrapping the ribbon laterallyaround the core to cause an intermingling of the fibers thereof and forma homogeneous covering for the core.

10. A method of coating a core, consisting in subjecting the core to awaterproofing liquid containing pulp in such manner that pulp is appliedthereto, squeezing the core and pulp thereon so that the pulp forms athin ribbon extending to opposite sides of the core, and then formingthe ribbon around the core so as to conform to the shape thereof.

11. A method of coating a core, which consists in passing thecorethrough a mixture of pulpous material and waterproofing liquid to causethe pulp to be deposited thereon, withdrawing the pulp from the mixtureto cause the pulp to cling thereto, and subsequently forming the pulpclinging around the core so that it constitutes a homogeneous coveringtherefor.

12. A method of coating a core, consisting in passing the core through amixture of pulp and a waterproofing liquid to cause the pulp to bedeposited there-on, withdrawing the core from the mixture to cause thedeposited pulp to cling thereto, and then subjecting the deposited pulpto pressure in such manner as to cause an intermingling of the fibersthereof.

13. A method of coating a core in strand form, consisting in applyingunfinished waterproof paper to the core and subsequently completing thefabrication of the unfinished paper on the core to constitute a coatingtherefor.

14. A method of coating a core in strand form, consisting in subjectingthe core to a waterproofing liquid containing pulp in such manner thatpulp is applied thereto to form a coating and then so treating the pulpcoating that it is attached to the core and conforms to the shapethereof.

, 15. A method of coating a core, consisting in applying a waterproofpulp ribbon to the core and wrapping the ribbon around the core to causean intermingling of the fibers thereof to attach the pulp to the core.

16. A method of coating a core in strand form, consisting in applyin awaterproof pulp ribbon to the core an wrapping the ribbon around thecore to cause an intermingling of the fibers thereof to attach the pulpto the core.

17. A method of coating a core, consisting in subjecting the core to aWaterproof liquid containing pulp in such manner that a ribbon of pulpis applied to the core and wrapping the ribbon around the core to causean intermingling of the fibers thereofto attach the ulp to the core toconstitute a waterproof coating therefor.

18. A method of coating a core in strand form with pulp, consisting insubjecting the core to a waterproof liquid containing pulp in suchmanner as to apply a ribbon and wrapping said ribbon laterally aroundthe core to cause an intermingling of the fibers thereof to attach thepulp to the core to constitute a waterproof coating therefor.

19. A method of coating a core in strand form, consisting in subjectinga continuously moving core to a waterproof liquid containing pulp insuch manner as to cause the pulp to be attached thereto to constitute acoating therefor.

20. A method of coating a core in strand form with pulp, consisting insubjecting a continuously moving core toa waterproof liquid containingpulp in such manner that a pulpous ribbon is attached to the core, andthen wrapping said ribbon around the core to constitute a waterproofcoating therefor.

21. A method of coating a core in strand form, consisting in applying awaterproof wet pulpous mixture to a continuously moving core in suchmanner as to cause the pulp to be attached thereto solely by an inter-'mingling of the pulp fibers to constitute a coating therefor.

22. A method of coating a core in strand form, consisting in subjectingthe core to a waterproof pulp in such manner that pulp is attachedthereto solely by a felting of the pulp fibers. j

23. A method of coating a core in strand form, consisting in applying anunfinished waterproofed paper to-the core and subsequently completingthe fabrication of said paper to constitute a waterproofed paper coatingon the core.

24. A method of coating a core in strand form consisting in applying anunfinished waterproofed paper in ribbon form to-the core and thensubsequently wrapping said ribbon around the core and completing thefabrication thereof into a finished waterproofed paper coating on thecore.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 1st day ofSeptember A. D'.,

FRANK GILL.

of pulp to the core longitudinally thereof,

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